126 DISEASES OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS 



generally speaking, under two groups, viz., gastro-intestinal 

 and nervous. In some outbreaks the nervous symptoms pre- 

 dominate, in others the gastro-intestinal, depending probably 

 on the kind of fungus taken into the body, the quantity of 

 toxins produced, and the resistance of the individual. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms of forage poisoning, as noted, 

 may be grouped under two heads: (1) Nervous, and (2) 

 gastro-intestinal. Either may dominate or both may be 

 combined in individual outbreaks. 



Nervous Group. — ^The most conspicuous symptoms are 

 dysphagia from paralysis of the pharynx (inability to swallow, 

 slobbering), paralysis of tongue, roaring, incoordination of 

 body movements, staggering, shambling gait, weakness of 

 hind parts; strikes forefeet in stepping over door sill, paraly- 

 sis of tail, spasms of certain groups of muscles (twitching of 

 face, lips, neck, shoulder) ; mental excitement, due to active 

 cerebral congestion, causing rabiform symptoms (tendency to 

 climb over any obstacles, biting and striking at attendants) ; 

 mental depression (stupor, pushing head against wall) ; forced 

 movements (travelling in a circle to right or left, individual 

 patients always in one direction) ; amaurotic blindness (run- 

 ning against objects), opisthotonos (head drawn backwardly), 

 and finally profuse diaphoresis (heavy sweats along neck, 

 shoulders, sometimes on one side only, may lead to loss of 

 hair from maceration) . 



Gastro-intestinal Symptoms. — Colic (pawing, restlessness), 

 constipation, often obstinate at first; or diarrhea, the feces 

 liquid, sometimes blood-stained and fetid. There is occa- 

 sionally slight bloating. The peristalsis is suppressed in 

 constipation, lively in diarrhea. Tenesmus is Occasionally 

 observed. 



General. — The conjunctiva shows petechia and icterus, the 

 temperature in the early stages is up to 105° F., but soon 

 drops to normal or subnormal, where it continues until death. 

 The pulse is usually normal until the last stages, when it 

 becomes rapid (occasionally slower), weak, and irregular. 

 Dyspnea is generally present, but varies greatly in degree in 

 different cases. Occasionally the respirations are subnormal. 

 Polyuria is noted in some outbreaks, although retention of 



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